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Upcoming OPAL Programs

While doing some reading for an upcoming WAPL presentation about OPAL, I came across these two OPAL sessions that may be of interest to you.  They are both presented by Librarian in Black, Sarah Houghton-Jan and will be held in the OPAL Auditorium.  The first, "Online Marketing for Libraries"  is scheduled for Thursday, May 8 at 1 p.m.  The second, "Technology Training and Competencies for Libraries" will be held on Thursday, May 15 at 3 p.m.  Both programs will last approximately 90 minutes. More information can be found on the OPAL web site.  Registration is not required, just enter the OPAL Online Auditorium and enjoy the program.

PLA Wrap Up

I don't know about you, but I love attending conferences.  There's lots to see, learn, talk about, people to meet, new products to check out, and freebies to collect.  For those of you who went, I hope you had a great time and learned a lot and I have a favor to ask.  There are always too many programs to try and see everything on my list - but if you went to a program or heard a speaker that you think would be a good addition to our CE Calendar, please let me know!  I have some new ideas and speakers to check out but can always use your help.  Thanks!

Database Demos

You may have noticed that I'm spending a lot of time on our databases this year. One of my goals this year is to offer Database Demos on as many of our databases as possible. It's my belief that the more you know about the databases, the more you can help your patrons with them.  In March, we're looking at two Gale databases. 

First, Literature Resource Center is getting a new search interface and we're offering three opportunities (March 12, 13 and 21) for you to check it out.  The new interface will be made available to the public on Monday, March 17th.  Because we also have access to LitFinder (another Gale product) through BadgerLink, the new LRC interface should include LitFinder results.  Very cool!

Secondly, SCLS will have access to about 400 titles from the Gale Virtual Reference Library (GVRL) from now until June.  This includes such titles as Grzimek's Animal Life Encyclopedia and Acronyms, Initialisms, and Abbreviations Dictionary.  Representatives from Gale will provide an overview and demonstration of GVRL during two sessions on March 6.

For more information on these sessions and to register, visit the CE Calendar at www.scls.info/calendar.

SirsiDynix Institute

I apologize for the long absence and I promise to add more content to this blog in 2008. 

Stephen Abram, VP of Innovation for SirsiDynix will present the first SirsiDynix Institute program of 2008.  "Twenty Five Technologies to Watch and How" is scheduled for Thursday, January 31 at 10 a.m. and will last one hour.  For more information and to register, visit the SirsiDynix Institute website: http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/seminar_page.php?sid=98.  Once you register, you'll get an email with a link to check if your browser is compatible with the meeting software. 

In order to view these sessions live, participants need to have Windows Media Player 9 or higher installed on their computer.  For LINK libraries, please contact Automation at least one week in advance if upgrades are necessary. (I know I didn't technically give you a week's notice, but I just found out about this program today.)

LearningExpress Training

LearningExpress Library, an online test preparation database, is coming to SCLS in January of 2008.  Online training sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, December 12 at 9:30 a.m. and December 19 at 1:30 p.m.  For more information and to register for these training sessions, visit the CE Calendar or Online Update.